Medicinal bath-cabinet.



No. 665,756. Patented 1an. s, Ism. F. n. RYAN.

MEDICINAL BATH CABINET.

(Appuncion mad my 25, 1906.)

`3 Shgets-f-Sheet l.

(No Modal.)

,E70/fum WHW/55555;

N6. 665,756. Patented 1an. s, mol.

r. m RYAN.

MEDIGINL BATH CABINET,

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Apploation Bled Hay 26, 1900.)

wl SINN ,s SL74 (uq und@ )N WHM. QQ s No. 665,756. l. Patented lan. 8, |90I. F. B. RYAN. IIEDIGINAL BATH CABINET (Application lad Hay 25, 1900.) (No mm1.) i 3 sheets-sheet a.

inn-mmnm: 62

Nrrnn STATES FORTNEE R. RYAN, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE;

MEDICINAL BATH-CABINET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 665,7 56, dated January 8, 1901.

Application filed May 25, 1900. b'elal N0. 17,'958. LND model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FORTUNE R. RYAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby,State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Medicinal Bath-Cabinets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has relation to an apparatus for the treat-ment of persons alected with various diseases-as, for example, rheumatism, kidney diseases, skin diseases, and all others arising from a deranged nervous condition, impure blood, imperfect circulation, and other causes-the nature of the treatment being somewhat similar to (though materially different from) what are known as vapor-baths.7 In most, if not all, cases 0f vapor-bath treatment the patient is completely covered and the vapors produced in the apparatus -are conlined upon and about the patient, while in my apparatus the patient is practically uncovered, whereby the deleterious and sometimes poisonous secretion of the pores of the body are immediately separated from the patient in the form of vapor and at once disseminated in the surrounding atmosphere. To obtain this advantageous object, the apparatus is not provided with any means for confining the vapors and secretion at and upon the patient.

While it is not necessary to enumerate the specific remedial agencies employed, it will nevertheless lead to a more clear understanding of the apparatus to state that the treatment consists, generally speaking, of finelyfiltrated solutions of the various remedial agencies, which solution or solutions, as the particular disease being treated may require, are regulated as to quantity and temperature and diffused into a porous or absorbent medium, from which they pass in the form of vapor to the body of the patient support-ed above the medium. Means for regulating the temperature of the atmosphere between the absorbent medium and the patient are alsorprovided for the purpose of condensing the vapor and causing the saine to fall by lowering the temperature thereof. By this method of treatment medicated vapors may be applied, the temperature of the patient controlled to produce profuse secretion through the pores of the skin, and the'surrounding vaporcondensed to carry awaysaid secretions from under portions of the patient reclining upon the apparatus, while from other portions the deleterious secretions are spontaneously disseminated with the rising vapor. With this understanding of the treatment and by reference to the drawings hereto attached, forming a part of this specification, the construction and operation of the apparatus will be readily understood.

In the drawings, Figure lis a plan,aud Fig. 2 is a substantially central vertical section of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section of one of the filtering-cones. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similar section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a central vertical section of the heating device, and Fig. 7 is a perspective of a portion of one of the supporting-slats employed.

Like lette rs of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

A represents a cabinet in box form, having doors A' located in its side and end Walls for the purpose of giving ready access to any and all parts of the apparatus arranged within it. At its upper edges the walls are flared, as shown at A2, and upon the dared portion isa series of longitudinally-disposed slats B, beneath which is a series of transversely-disposed slats B. The ends of the slats B and B' are bent over in hook form, as shown at B2, whereby each and all of the slats are readily removable. The slats are formed of any desired sheet metal, which is plated or enameled after the edges b are folded over against the bottom of the Slat to form a smooth edge to the slat.

At this point it is proper to state that every precaution in the selection of material of which to form the various parts of this apparatus is taken to prevent the absorption of noxious or deleterious qualities contained in the secretions from the bodies of patients treated by the use of this apparatus. In this line all of the parts-such as pipes, valves, iltering-cones, reservoirs, and receptaclesare preferably formed of glass` or of a suitable sheet metal thoroughly enameled. For

IOO

the same reason the parts are constructed to be readily accessible for cleaning and disinfection.

Within the box-form cabinet there is arranged a table C, supported by standards C or in any other suitable manner, which table is provided with a surrounding flange C2 or its equivalent, a non-continuous liange or flanges, for the purpose of maintaining upon the table a porous or absorbent medium or slab D. While there are many materials from which this slab may be made and many methods of constructing the same, simply to give a clear idea of its peculiarity of form and function l will state that it may, for example, be constructed of any desired ordinarily pure virgin clay, Which when properly tempered into a suitable condition for the admixture therewith of some inactive cornbustibleingredient-forinstance,clean,some what coarse, sawdust-is thoroughly worked so as to distribute about fifty per cent. or more of such sawdust uniformly throughout the mass of the clay. The clay having the sawdust mixed therewith is then molded into the form and thickness of a desired slab and is then baked in any suitable kiln, which consumes the sawdust and renders the vitriiied slab porous. In the apparatus herein shown and described the slab is of a size and form adapted to treat the entire body of the patient. It is apparent that the slab may be proportioned to treat less than the entire body, so that my invention is not restricted in this regard to any particular shape or size of the porous or absorbent slab. While the slab is being molded pockets or openings D' may be formed therein for the reception of thermometers D2, which will indicate the temperature of the slab when in use. Other apertures D5, Fig. 2, are formed for the reception of filtering remedial-agency-introducing pipes or cones E. These may be increased or decreased in numberas may be desired, and they may be arranged about the slab in any particular manner desired; but in practice I have found it advantageous to arrange three of said cones upon one side of the slab and two upon the opposite side.

Each of the cones E (see Fig. 3) comprises a body portion, which may be made either of glass or of any suitable sheet metal thoroughly enameled, especially on the interior thereof. A door E' is provided with any suitable fastening devices E2, and between the door and surrounding tne opening E5 into the cone, which the door covers, is a gasket or packing E4. This latter consists of a removable gasket of soft rubber, a xnaterial'which can not only be readily' removed and replaced for use, but thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Within the cone there are arranged filtering disks or plates F, which are of a form and dimension to snugly fit the cone at different points therein, each filtering-plate F being held in position by cleats E5 or by any other equivalent construction. These filteringdisks may be of any suitable *material and may be of the same material and construction as the slab D.

E5 is a glass or other non-corrodible cross- Wall within the cone E and having a longitudinal passage E5gwhich is controlled bya slidevalve E8, these parts being preferably formed of glass, the valve E8 having an opening E9, which may be moved partly or Wholly in register with the opening E7, so as to control the quantity of liquid or other form of remedial agent through the cone and into the slab D when the smaller end E10 of the cone is inserted into the slab, as clearly shown in Fig. l. A rod F extends from one valve E8 to another and to a rock-arm F', extending upwardly from a shaft F2, pivoted in bearings at opposite sides of the cabinet, one of which rockarms is extended upwardly to form a handle F5, whereby all the valves in all of the cones may be simultaneously operated by an attendant. A scale F4 may be employed to indicate the condition of the valve with relation to the openings E7 in the cones, so that the supply of the remedial agent to the slab may be positively and quickly provided, controlled, or cut off, as desired.

At the top of each cone E there is mounted an urn or other form of receptacle G, a valve G being provided to control the supply of remedial agent to the cone. A screw-threaded or otherwise-connected cap or cover G2 is mounted on the receptacle G. A filtering disk or plate F is arranged within the receptacle, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. Within the cabinet or, if more convenient, at one end thereof is arranged a reservoir H for the storing of a remedial agent. This reservoir is provided with a receptacle I-l, having a valve H2, said receptacle being in all respects similar to the receptacle G, above described. From the reservoir H there extends a discharge-pipe H5, having a valve HLL and entering a distributing-reservoir I. This latter reservoir has in one of its Walls a thermometer I and a glazed sight-opcning'P. Itis also provided with a pressure-gage 15. From this reservoir there extends a pipe J,with branches J, each provided With a valve J2 and entering one of the cones E. From the distributing-reservoir l there also extends a pipe K, having a valve K and communicating with an air-reservoir L, which has a gage L to indicate the pressure of air existing therein. Pipes M and M', each having a valve M2 and M5, respectively, extend from the distributing-reservoir I to a frictional heater N. This heater (see Fig. 6) is of the usual construction, comprising a iiuid-tight casing N and shaft N', passing therethrough and provided with rotating means, a pulley N2 or crank N5, and carrying upon the shaft a rotatable disk N4, while a non-rotatable disk N5 is supported ou the shaft and pressed and held against the rotatable disk by set-screws N5. lt is apparent that when the disk N4 is rotated in contact with the disk N5 heat is evolved and is IOO IIO

absorbed by the liquid Within the case N. The direction of rotation of the disk N4 also serves the function of a pump, which in connection with the varying temperature causes a circulation of liquid from the reservoir I to the heater through the pipe M and back to the reservoir through the pipe M, the valves being in proper condition for such operation. I deem it important and essential that the production of a desired temperature to a remedial agent in this art should be produced without the presence of fumes of an alcohollamp or other heat-producing device wherein combustion takes place, as the fumes and gases produced by combustion and the altered condition ot' the surrounding atmosphere are deleterious and produce obstacles in the treatment of disease. I overcome these obstacles by the use ofa friction heatingdevice. Again, where heat is produced by the conversion of an electric current into heat I have discovered an undesired effect in certain cases, which is obviated by the employment of a frictional heating device which comes in direct contact with the remedial agent and without contact with the surrounding atmosphere. Stich an employment of such a heating device under such conditions produces material advantages in the treatment of disease in this art, and I consider it one of the important features of myinvention. In some cases the absolute absence of an electric current within or in proximity Lo the apparatus is desirable, and I therefore have shown an ordinary crank N3, Fig. 6, for rotating the disk N4 of the heater \T. In other cases, the mere presence of an electric current being unobjectionable, I employ an electric motor O, connected by pulley O with the pulley N2 of the heater N for operating the latter.

The air-tank L may be supplied with air under pressure by the use of any ordinary hand or foot pump; butto save manual labor I have shown a horizontal-acting air-pump P, connected with the tank L by a pipe P', having a valve P2, the piston of the pump being operated by a connecting-rod P3 on crank P4, driven by belt-pulley P5 and belt P5, connected with the motor O. From the tank L there extends a pipe Q, having a valve Q', into a distributing air-tank R, havinga gage R' and discharge-pipe R2, with a controllingvalve R3. This pipe R2 extends to each of the cones E by branches R4, each one having a valve R5. These branch pipes Rlenter the cone below the receptacle G and in front of the first filtering-plate F, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, or it may be at R4 in said figure. Spray-nozzles S project from the p ipe R2 in a horizontal plane lying above the absorbent slab D for the purpose of lowering the telnperatu re of the atmosphere between the slab and the slats B of the apparatus. The cones on the opposite side of the porous slab are served with air under pressure from the branch RMX, Fig. 2, of pipe R2.

The purpose of having a distributing-reserl Voir R for air under pressure is that the pressure may be regulated to suit any particular purpose in view and that independently of the pressure existing in either of the reservoirs L or R, and the same advantageous conditions exist as between the reservoir L and the distributing-reservoir I.

By the independent supply of air under pressure to chamber I a remedial agent may be forced therefrom to any or all of the introducing-cones E and thence into the slab D, and, if desired, the pressure may be increased, so as to increase evaporation from said slab. In this manner feeding the slab with a remedial agent by gravity alone is improved upon, as it is not essential to have the chamber I located wholly above the plane of the slab, but it may be located, as shown, at any convenient point within the cabinet.

Having described the construction and arrangement of the apparatus, it is apparent that variations almost Without number may be made in the manner of using the same. In fact, it is one of the advantages of the construction described and illustrated that in use the operation of distinct parts and the employment of distinct functions either collectively or independently is under the perfect control of the attendant, so that treatment may be modied, continued, quickly discontinued, increased or diminished in each and all material respects, and temperature may be produced either low, medium, high, or velv high and reduced as desired, either suddenly or gradually. Diiferent remedial agents may be applied in different degrees at different portions of the porous slab, so as to al'ect different portions of the body of the patient, and all under the absolute and immediate or gradual control of the attendant as desired. These variations in use are apparently the results, as will now appear, of the construction of the apparatusand of the principles embodied in its construction.

In each of the receptacles G, surmounting the cones E, which communicate with the porous slab, there may he placed in dry or powdered form the material from which the remedial agent is to be obtained by filtration. Hot or cold water in desired quantity is put `upon the material within the receptable and is filtered through said material into the firstcompartment of the cone. From thence it passes through the several, one or more,filter ing-plates F and reaches the valved wall E6 of the cone. Now, having provided each receptacle upon each of the several cones with its proper charge of material, be it either one and the same throughout the series or different in each receptacle or different in some of the receptacles from the material in other of the receptacles, the temperature `may be lowered by the admission of air through the pipe R4 immediately under the receptacle or, if desired, as shown by dotted lines at R4X, Fig. 3, in that compartment adjacent to the valved wall E6 which lowers the temperature of the IOO IIO

remedial agent when produced with heated water or other liquid in a heated condition. The admission of air also increases the pressure with which the remedial agent, now in liquid form, is forced into the pores of the slab, and consequently increases the amount of vapor produced. In the receptacle H' the same or a different remedial agent may be placed and filtered into the distributing-reservoir I. Its temperature and its quantity within the reservoir I are ascertainable at a glance by means of the thermometer and the sight-opening described. A desired pressure of air may be produced and maintained in the distributingreservoir from the airpressure reservoir L, so as to carry the remedial agent through the pipes J .I' into the cones at points opposite or similar to the points R4 or R4X therein, so that such remedy may be either mixed with or used successively with or independent of the remedial agents supplied to the cones from the receptacles G. Having charged the absorbent slab with a remedial agent or agents, as described, and at a temperature desired, the fumes or vapors arising therefrom contact with the body of the patient and when secretion of the pores of the body has taken place to a desired ex-A tent the valves E8 may be simultaneously closed by means of the lever F3 and a spray of air may be injected from the valves S above and across the slab D to condense the vapors and cause the same to fall downwardly away from the slats B of the apparatus.

As before stated, it is desirable that all parts of this apparatus shall be made of noncorrodible and of non-absorbent material with the exception of the slab D and that all corrosion anduntidiness must be guarded against in the selection of material and the care of the apparatus.

It is apparent that many details of construction may vary materially from that illus- Lrated in the arrangement of the parts herein shown and described without a departure from the novel features of the invention, and I therefore do not limit myself to the exact construction, proportion, and arrangementvherein specified and shown.

What I claim isl. In an apparatus of the class described, a solid porous slab of non-corrodible material; and means for bringing the slab and a remedial agent into contact whereby the remedial agent may be diffused in the slab and escape from its pores in the form of a vapor; substantially as specified.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a'solid porous slab of vitrified non-corrodible material; and means for bringing the slab and a remedial agent into contact whereby the remedial agent may be diffused in the slab and escape from its pores in the form of a vapor; substantially as specified.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a non-corrodible solid porous slab provided with pockets or openings and means for serif/5e bringing the slab and a remedial agent into Contact whereby the remedial agent may be diffused in the slab and escape from its pores in the form of a vapor; substantially as specified.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a non-corrodible solid porous slab, and means for introducing a remedial agent thereinto; substantially as specified.

5. The combinationwith a solid porous noncorrodible slab, of means communicating therewith adapted to convey a remedial agent, and means for controlling the passage of the remedial agent into the slab; substantially as specified.

6. In an apparatus of the class described,

a solid, porous slab, means for introducing thereinto a remedial agent, and an interposed valve for regulating and controlling the supply of the same; substantially as specified.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a solid, porous slab, and means for introducing a remedial agent into the body of the slab comprising a hollow conductor having a filtering device therein; substantially as specified. p

8. In an apparatus of. the class described, the combination of a solid, porous slab, means for introducing a remedial agent into the slab, and means for introducing air under pressure into said remedial-agent-introducing means; substantially as specified.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a solid, porous slab, means for introducing a remedial agent into the slab, means for introducing air under pressure together with the remedial agent, and means for heating the remedial agent employed; substantially as specified.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a solid porous slab, means for holding and conducting to the slab a remedial agent, and au interposed heating device; substantially as specified.

l1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a receptacle for a remedial agent, a heating device, connections between the receptacle and the heating device, a solid porous slab, and connections between the same and the receptacle; substantially as specied.

l2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a solid, porous slab, means connected with the slab and with a receptacle for a remedial agent, an air-reservoir, connections between the same and the means for supplying a remedial agent to the slab, and air-spraying devices in the horizontal plane above the slab; substantially as specified.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, a vapor-evolving device, a support for a patient above the same and an intermediate airspraying device; substantially as specified.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a box-like structure provided with doors and surmounted by non-absorbent non -corrodible removable slats, a

solid porous slab arranged at a distance below the slats, and means for impregnating the slab with a remedial agent; substantially as specified.

l5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a solid, porous, non-corrodible slab, means for impregnating the slab with a remedial agent, and means for varying the temperature of said agent; substantially as specified.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a solid porous slab, a receptacle for a remedial agent in solid or powdered form, a tank communicatingtherewith, an interposed valve, a distributing-reservoir communicating with the tank, and means for heating the contents of the reservoir and for producing a pressure of air therein, and a distributing-pipe extending from said reservoir; substantially as specified.

17. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a remedial-agent-distributing reservoir, a discharge-pipe extending therefrom and provided with a controllingvalve, a primary air-pressure receptacle, a valved pipe extending from said reservoir to the same, means for charging the same, a secondary air-pressure receptacle communicating with the primary receptacle,an interposed controlling-valve, and a discharge-pipe from the secondary receptacle provided with a controlling-valve, whereby independent and different pressures may be produced in the reservoir and the secondary air-pressure receptacle; substantially as specified.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of asolid,porous slab, means for charging the same with a remedial agent,

means for conveying frictional heat to said agent, means for compressing air, and a motor forl operating the heating device and air-com pressing mechanism; substantially as specified.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, a solid, porous, non-corrodible slab, a series of conductors for conveying a remedial agent into the slab, a series of valves one to each conductor, a device connecting the valves, and a rock-shaft for operating the valves simultaneously; substantially as specified.

20. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a vapor-evolving device, means for holding and conducting to said device a remedial agen t,and an interposed heating device; substantially as specified.

2l. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a porous'vapor-evolving device, means for impregnating said device with a remedial agent, and interposed means for varying the temperature of said agent; substantially as specified.

22. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a porous vapor-evolving device, means for introducing a remedial agent in said device, means for introducing air under pressure with said remedial agent, and means for carrying the temperature of said remedial agent employed; substantially 'as specified.

In testimony whereof I aflx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FORTUNE R. RYAN.

Witnesses:

E. B. STOOKING, ALFRED T. GAGE. 

